CECIL Duckworth has given Worcester a timely boost by pledging his commitment to the Sixways club.

The multi-millionaire chairman has refuted suggestions that he will scale down his investment at Worcester if the team fail to achieve promotion this season.

After two league defeats this season so far, Worcester's promotion bid is already looking precarious.

However, Duckworth is determined to see his club in the elite whether it is in this campaign or the next.

"Obviously, I'm disappointed with where we are now in the league," he said. "We should have beaten Coventry and Exeter but we didn't play particularly well in both of them. I think, though, it is a more open title race this season. You could maybe get away with losing three or four games and still go up which is far different from last year.

"I've committed myself to the next two years and then I will review the situation. My intention is to carry on with the job in hand.

"I've talked to the senior players. There is the will to succeed and they certainly have the ability. It takes a little while for the coaching staff to find out what people are capable of when put under pressure.

"We've got a big squad and that should pay dividends in the latter part of the season. I'm certainly confident we will do it, obviously it will not be easy but we have the players."

Worcester have been criticised by supporters for some inconsistent performances but more worrying, that has now manifested itself in a downturn in attendances. Duckworth, though, hopes the support will return.

"I hope they don't feel as if it's promotion or nothing," he added. "The crowds have been a little disappointing but I think that is down to history. We've got so close in the past that some now think we'll never do it. The league is much more even this year and, I think, more attractive. We've got to try and convince them to come back!"

Despite his optimism for the future, however, Duckworth revealed that he now has some misgivings about some of his vast investment into the club over the past few years.

"I suppose if I look back, having known what I know now, I maybe should have targeted the outstanding young talent and brought them on.

"For far less money we would have had a team of hungry, young players who developed together and would probably be about ready to challenge at the top.

"That is obviously the best way to do things and I would have done it if there had been some stability within the game. The first year we went up, we knew there would be promotion and we were leading the table until March. The last two years there has been uncertainty so it is very difficult to plan a strategy like that."

With a blooming youth set-up and an impressive set of under-21 results, Duckworth is now confident, however, that they will soon be a major force for Worcester.

"What is exciting now is that within the academy and under-21s we now have those talented, young players.

"Carl Douglas has done a great job because we now have a very solid base. He's done so well that it has attracted the attention of Gloucester!

"John Brain has it in mind to start to play some of the young guys in the first team because they need to be blooded. The under-21s have done extremely well and I think John is aware of their hunger to get into the first team.

"A hungry young man can put a lot of pressure on some of the superstars!

"There is no lack of commitment on the part of the experienced players but that pressure can sometimes be a very important factor in performances.

"As for me, I think things are very bright at Worcester. I'm still confident that this season will be one to remember."